What’s The Likelihood Of A Shark Attack On NC Beaches?

Well, it's that time again.  Memorial Day has passed and North Carolinians are flocking to the beach for our annual pilgrimages.  And every since I saw "Jaws" as a boy, I've always been leery of playing the odds by spending any significant time in the ocean.  And I know, statistically speaking the chances of being attacked by a shark are next to zero; and if you are attacked, your chances of survival is near 90%.  Okay, you can say that, and I'll show you this.

When it comes to shark attacks, the odds are in your favor...until they are not.  That being said, in North Carolina, there have been 10 fatal shark attacks reported along the state's coastline since 1864.  Think about how many residents of the Tar Heel state have been in the water in that time?  And more stats you're familiar with that will make you feel better (hopefully)?  People are about 50 times more likely to die from a lightning strike than from a shark attack, and about 10 times more likely to die from a fireworks accident than from a shark attack.  So this summer, if you (and me) are reasonable, fear should be directed at all the fireworks stands on the way to the beach, rather than what is swimming beneath its waves.